Source-backed decision research

Explore how AAO evaluates evidence.

Search a substantial collection of case-specific reasoning, then narrow it by petition, field, legal issue, or date.

This expanded collection favors source-backed access over perfect automated classification. Fields, labels, summaries, and relevance may contain errors; records marked ‘broader context’ need extra care. Review the cited source before relying on any record. These appeals and motions do not show approval odds or denial rates, and are not legal advice or a prediction.

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10,847 decisions / 36,849 findings

Showing 37013710

NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO found the Petitioner repeatedly emphasized the importance of the reinsurance industry generally rather than demonstrating the national importance of his specific proposed endeavor, and did not corroborate how his work as a managing general agent would impact the broader economy beyond prospective clients.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO found the Petitioner repeatedly emphasized the importance of the reinsurance industry generally rather than demonstrating the national importance of his specific proposed endeavor, and did not corroborate how his work as a managing general agent would impact the broader economy beyond prospective clients.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_03_B5203; source_row=39414
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot established

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO agreed that the petitioner's proposed work as a nurse in underserved areas may relate to the substantial merit of her endeavor but does not rise to the level of national importance. AAO noted that the petitioner's education and experience relate to the second prong, not national importance, and that her emphasis on economic growth and social welfare did not establish national importance.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

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AAO agreed that the petitioner's proposed work as a nurse in underserved areas may relate to the substantial merit of her endeavor but does not rise to the level of national importance. AAO noted that the petitioner's education and experience relate to the second prong, not national importance, and that her emphasis on economic growth and social welfare did not establish national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_09_B5203; source_row=39429
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

The AAO maintained its prior conclusion that the proposed endeavor lacks national importance. Petitioner's references to industry-wide shortages and prior work abroad do not establish that the specific prospective endeavor has national importance.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
The AAO maintained its prior conclusion that the proposed endeavor lacks national importance. Petitioner's references to industry-wide shortages and prior work abroad do not establish that the specific prospective endeavor has national importance.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_11_B5203; source_row=39432
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · National importanceNot establishedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Medicine / Clinical

Issue evaluated

NIW · National importance

substantial merit and national importance

Why AAO was not persuaded

AAO reaffirmed its prior finding that while the Petitioner's proposed activities might broaden her client base, they do not establish broader impact on the home health care industry. The impact is limited to direct clients and does not rise to the level of national importance required under Dhanasar.

Why this is useful

Compare how the decision separates a broadly important field from the prospective impact of the applicant’s specific work.

View full reasoning +
AAO reaffirmed its prior finding that while the Petitioner's proposed activities might broaden her client base, they do not establish broader impact on the home health care industry. The impact is limited to direct clients and does not rise to the level of national importance required under Dhanasar.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_08_B5203; source_row=39426
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner's failure to establish national importance under the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

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AAO explicitly declined to reach the third prong because the Petitioner's failure to establish national importance under the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_01_B5203; source_row=39413
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Computer Science / AI

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO explicitly declined to reach the second prong because the Petitioner's failure to establish national importance under the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

View full reasoning +
AAO explicitly declined to reach the second prong because the Petitioner's failure to establish national importance under the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_01_B5203; source_row=39412
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well positioned to advance the proposed endeavor

What the decision said

AAO reserved consideration of the second prong because the failure on the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

View full reasoning +
AAO reserved consideration of the second prong because the failure on the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_06_B5203; source_row=39421
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Other

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer requirement

What the decision said

AAO reserved consideration of the third prong because the failure on the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
AAO reserved consideration of the third prong because the failure on the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_06_B5203; source_row=39422
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Well positionedReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · Well positioned

well-positioned to advance the endeavor

What the decision said

AAO noted the Petitioner's reiteration of exceptional abilities relates to the second prong but did not reach this prong because the first prong was dispositive.

Why this is useful

Identify the progress, resources, outside interest, or record-to-plan connection that AAO expected to see.

View full reasoning +
AAO noted the Petitioner's reiteration of exceptional abilities relates to the second prong but did not reach this prong because the first prong was dispositive.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_03_B5203; source_row=39415
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
NIWNIW · Waiver on balanceReservedAutomated extraction · broader context

Case facts

Finance

Issue evaluated

NIW · Waiver on balance

on balance, beneficial to the United States

What the decision said

AAO did not address this prong, as the matter was resolved against the Petitioner on the first prong.

Why this is useful

See which endeavor-specific facts mattered to the waiver analysis beyond a preference to self-petition.

View full reasoning +
AAO did not address this prong, as the matter was resolved against the Petitioner on the first prong.
Exact record locator: findings_long.parquet filename_stem=2024-07-29_03_B5203; source_row=39416
Revision: 081d2cac29dcadfec88fdd675d7a0c4294d72b3c
Open source dataset ↗
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